Online Professional Learning and
Technical Assistance for
21st Century Community Learning Centers

IDEA Categories

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is our nation’s special education law. Within IDEA there are disability terms and definitions that guide states on defining disability and determining who is eligible for special education supports. Key elements to the definitions of the federally recognized disability categories are below. Each state determines the specific eligibility criteria. Please refer to your state definitions for more detailed information. It is important to understand that IDEA definitions of disabilities are not the same as medical diagnoses.

Your device does not appear to support embedded PDF previews. Please download the file using the links provided.
If you are unable to see or read the pdf display, please click the icon to download the Adobe PDF reader.

The documents posted on this server contain links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links and pointers are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of links or pointers to particular items is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these outside sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.